still sufficiently Danish to be pleased with our four, five, or six years' engagements. For my part I am not. I would do much for Minna's sake, but to bring such an absurdity on myself, to go about as a proper patent Danish fiancé—No!"
"Very well, so after all you also have your principles. Only it is a pity that as engagements are on the same lines in Germany, her German heart and understanding have perhaps not been able fully to value these motives. What, however, is still more to be regretted, is that you did not manage to impart to her your own view of the situation, but that she, on the contrary, believed that there were to be no ties between you and herself."
"In that she was quite right.… Of course I wished her to have her full liberty"
"And you yours, especially the latter."
"What do you mean by that?"
"No doubt you have taken advantage of your liberty, indeed I can mention a certain lady who was sufficiently 'well-to-do' to inspire in you a desire for marriage."
Stephensen laughed mockingly.
"I must say that Copenhagen's old reputation for being a gossip-hole does not belie itself, since the gossip has its echo right down in Saxonia. I can imagine that you have not deprived Minna of this 'tit-bit.'"
"Think what you like, it's no business of mine! But permit me to call your attention to the fact that you are not very consistent, when it surprises and annoys you that she, on her part, has at last made use of her liberty."
Stephensen was evidently very irritated at the turn the conversation had taken; but he checked the sharp outburst that was on his lips. For several minutes he remained staring silently at the ceiling with furrowed brow, breathing
